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Just going to leave this here because i love it so much #textneck

#textneck #inspiration #concepts #themes

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Loved the idea of this.. unfortunately, it’s not very steady in motion. I may explore a more telescopic option like a version of the selfie stick, or maybe project it onto a pair of glasses

#sketchmodel #prototyping #testing

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Testing out my first iteration/sketch model of my “bring your own pole” concept and I have to say... I am AMAZED(!!!) at how good the suction is!! Very impressed with the stability I felt during all the twists and turns and all the jerk I experienced on my way from Walnut-Locust to Fern Rock and then back. And the best part is... I didn’t have to touch the damn poles!!! I would call that a #win for this round. Next step will be to test out other forms until I settle on the best. This one was very comfortable (also more comfortable than the pole, I should say)

#sketchmodel #prototyping #testing

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Inflatable lifejackets, could be useful for my personal space jacket

#inspiration

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To Do List

Monday night: [ ] iterate forms for the handlebar [ ] cardboard cut out for phone holder [ ] sketches for creating a “bubble” around people

Tuesday: [ ] decide what materials are necessary [ ] buy materials [ ] make stuff

Wednesday morning: [ ] go on the subway and test one of the products!! or all! [ ] talk to people!

Thursday: [ ] same as wednesday!

Friday: [ ] make 2nd round sketch models of products

This is gonna be a busy, busy week :)

#personalpost #researchprocess #sketchmodels #prototyping

[tanushreestudio]

Narrowing down ideas

1) google has a very similar looking product - mine could be the commuter version. i could start a conversation about how it could be important for back support, by adding a strap and making it hands free (the google model is currently hands only)

2) going with the first idea; start iterating ideas of how I could make a pole people could just bring on the train with them themselves. Some thoughts: The apprehension we have with sitting on public toilet seats is erroneous and almost exclusively psychological, and the solution for it is very simple. I believe that since the problem of germ transfer via the subway poles is similarly mindset exclusive, the solution will have to be also be easy: simply stop touching the pole. It should be a band-aid solution.

3) start thinking of how to create a bubble around people. examples: a jacket that has fake stains, putting a bucket on your head, having a jacket that inflates, etc.

#ideas #sketches #productideas #concepts #themes #commuterproject2016

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#inspiration

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Some general notes from desk crits

germs

1) being aware and trying to improve posture, and 2) solving the problem of posture by changing the nature of the activity (ex: instead of having to hold your phone in your lap, why not create an apparatus that leaves it right in front of your face? no accidental slouching involved!)

making people behave 1) wearable technology by letting people know that they are being rude 2) re-claiming space that should be yours cleanliness 1) poles.

Poles in the subway are actually safe to hold - the material does not transfer germs and they are intentionally built that way. Thus, the whole “dirty” feeling when grabbing a pole is actually psychological. It’s an interesting problem to tackle: how to create a barrier between your hand and the pole

what are the questions I need to answer in order to start designing the products I’m going to design?

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Problem statements

We have entered the 2nd third of the project, and we are starting to ideate solutions to our three main concepts by crafting problem statements surrounding the themes. Mine are:

*** What can I make that can help people to avoid having to worry about germs from body contact, litter, and other uncleanliness? *** How can I improve people’s posture for those who end up sleeping or having to stand for long periods of time on the train? *** There are countless harrowing tales of people harassing others and hogging up too much space on the train. How do I get people to behave?

The next step was to ideate ten solutions for each question, which I’ll post a review of in my next post for organizational purposes.

#themes #concepts #commuterproject2016 #problemstatement

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The votes are in!

I had my studio concept presentation on Monday presenting only the concepts (and not product ideas) to see what gained the most traction among the audience. We gave our audience scorecards to vote which 3 concepts they liked best of our 9. These are the results: 

creating a barrier - 7

body relief/support - 5

claiming personal space - 4

work station/using time + morning routine organization - 3

make tolerable - 2.5

storage + noise control + disrupting a daily cycle - 2

I’m a little surprised by the amount of popularity that “creating a barrier” received - because it’s the one I feel I worked on the least. It is however the concept that came as a surprise for me, so I may go with that anyway. I love that “body relief/support” and “claiming personal space” made it to the top 3, but a part of my does lament the loss of the super psychological concepts like “disrupting a daily cycle.” This might not have a lot of potential since it’s hard to come up with a physical item that may combat this, but I also think I may not have presented the concept as well because it’s already abstract in itself. I’m not bound to these votes, but it’s definitely useful to see what came off the strongest and what was weak. Additionally, if I were to just stick with these top 3, I know that I would be happy with them so I think overall this is a pretty successful experience.

#studioproject #commuterproject2016 #themes #concepts #personalpost

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Claiming Personal Space

Work Station/Using Time

Storage

Morning Routine Organization

“Make Tolerable”

Cleanliness/Creating a Barrier Between Self & Environment

Noise Control

Body Relief/Support

Disrupting Repetition

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Environment Studies

#themes #overarchingthemes #concepts

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Precedent Studies

#themes #overarchingthemes #concepts

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Specific quotations that inspired certain themes

Claiming Personal Space: Behavior “Bless the people who say sorry when passing you and bumping into you. Hate those people who try to get on the train before the people getting off have gotten off” “Worst has to be when the train is cramped and your every moment infringes upon someone else’s personal space.” “squeeze in as much as i can” “make myself as small as possible” “Getting hit on. All women know the strategy to deal with this, but it’s not fun.”

Work Station/Time “I count down the minutes and it’s a constant struggle of me hating my life and the experience and the unpredictability of it. I could definitely use that 20 minute time on the train more effectively and I sometimes do, but what’s worse is that time walking to and from the station that’s lost.” “I actually like having the “cheat” time that isn’t otherwise socially acceptable 100% of the time. I can listen to podcasts on a crowded train, read or veg and play a game if I have a seat.”

Storage “I carry two bags, a backpack with my laptop and books (very very heavy) and an extra bag because I usually cannot stuff everything into my backpack. Same thing at the end of my workweek going home.” “Backpack with laptop, books, notebooks, packed lunch, apple that sort of thing.” Morning Routine Organization - Anxiety/stress/forgetfulness “Wake up and leave within 40 minutes. Includes brushing, contacts, stretches for a few minutes, make breakfast while going back and forth from my room getting dressed, pack breakfast and lunch, get out.” “Make Tolerable” “Get out of bed and eye the day I was born” Cleanliness: creating a barrier between the person and the seat, other people, and poles Insert pics Noise Control: arriving trains, people talking or playing music loudly, etc. Insert pics Body Relief/Support "...my comfort varies. I take an express bus, and it gets packed. On the way home, I have a certain door I stand at on the train for the best placement to run for the bus- and try to get a spot where I won’t be pushed up against a dudes armpit. And so I stand on the train home too, by choice, to have the best spot. The only time I sit with regularity is my morning train. I get on at the first stop, and so you trade the pleasure of a seat with the frustration of not leaving for ages.” “Recently, I got up from my seat to let an elderly woman with a cane sit, and the train was so packed that I had to try to twist myself into a pretzel in order to get up.”

Possible other themes: racism, shaking up a repeating cycle (age), city culture/understanding among community members**. I realize these would all result in “statement” products, but I think it would be really interesting to make a product that isn’t necessarily conventionally useful that we can use everyday, but does contribute to an important issue by making a statement through form or function. Don’t really know if this is “allowed” in the scope of the project, but it’s a nice thought. **“I feel like there’s a New York understanding. I like to think that I know when people need help vs when they don’t l. It’s hard though, to balance.” “Whenever something goes wrong with the mta, everyone bonds in a rather lovely way. I’ve charged people’s phones underground for them, and had others do the same for me.”

#concepts #overarchingthemes #themes #commuterproject2016

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reblogging for consistency in timeline

(9) Subjects

After weeks of zooming in and out, these are the themes I’ve decided to focus on: Claiming Personal Space: Behavior Work Station/Time Storage Morning Routine Organization - Anxiety/stress/forgetfulness “Make Tolerable” Cleanliness: creating a barrier between the person and the seat, other people, and poles Noise Control: arriving trains, etc. Body Relief/Support Looking for one more theme.. sort of thinking about going forward with the different kinds of responses I got from people of different ages btu I haven’t reached a theme yet.

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Survey Questionnaire Responses: Round 3

1) How does commuting on the bus/train affect your daily productivity? (Do you feel like you could be doing something else, etc)(4 responses)

I don't think it affects my productivity too much. It allows me to do light reading but I wouldn't be able to do any serious work on the train. But if I was taking a car I'd get no work done so it's better than that.

it doesn't affect it much if I can create a comfortable setup to read or get some zzzz's

i use my 15min to think about my day or just waste time w my phone. it doesnt affect my productivity

I count down the minutes and it's a constant struggle of me hating my life and the experience and the unpredictability of it. I could definitely use that 20 minute time on the train more effectively and I sometimes do, but what's worse is that time walking to and from the station that's lost.

2) What is the best experience you have had with strangers on your commute to/from work vs. the worst?(4 responses)

I can't really say I've had a best experience while commuting.

none. no best or worst. i dont interact w any strangers normally.

Bless the people who say sorry when passing you and bumping into you. Hate those people who try to get on the train before the people getting off have gotten off

I love it when you talk with someone completely out of your traditional social circles. Worst has to be when the train is cramped and your every moment infringes upon someone else's personal space

3) How many separate bags (including briefcases and backpacks) do you carry to and from work? How heavy? What do you carry?(4 responses)

One book bag with laptop, reading material and random daily tools

1 north face bookbag usually with my lunchbox inside

two. 30lbs, 7lbs. books, yoga mat

I usually carry one bag to and from work. It's not very heavy; it usually contains a laptop and my packed lunch.

4) What is your morning routine?(3 responses)

Wake up and leave within 40 minutes. Includes brushing, contacts, stretches for a few minutes, make breakfast while going back and forth from my room getting dressed, pack breakfast and lunch, get out.

walk 13min, wait 2 to 15min, 16min train ride, walk 3min

Get out of bed and eye the day I was born

5) What is your evening routine?(3 responses)

walk 5min, wait 2 to 15min, 20min train ride, walk 13min

Do my homework, try to finish homework, get distracted with TV and friends. Make my lunch for the next day and have it ready to throw it in my bag.

Gym, Shower, Read, Sleep, Repeat

6) How do you deal with a crowded train or bus?(4 responses)

squeeze in as much as i can

Music and make myself as small as possible

Move to the side or middle of the train which tend to be less congested

I don't like it but I stand up.

7) Have you ever encountered or witnessed rude behavior on your commute? If it was someone else, did you step in?(3 responses)

Yes I witness rudeness almost daily but I decide whether or not it is something worth me intervening. Dumb high school kids? No. Abuse? Yes. At some point you have to realize that you can only do so much and have to pick your battles wisely.

I think there was one time when two women were yelling at each other and almost came to blows. I stepped in and eventually a security officer escorted them out.

no

8) How do you feel when you reach the end of the work/school day and have to wait for the bus or train?(4 responses)

It's not a good feeling. It's the worst part about commuting, especially in the cold.

It's fine as long as I am not doing it after normal service hours. Service is pretty great

ok if it s w/n 10min

Grit your teeth and bear it for a few minutes

9) What do you do on the train/bus?(4 responses)

think about my day, read yik yak on my phone to pass time, 16min is too short to read anything serious like a book. if my commute was 30min plus then i would more likely to read

Usually just music, sometimes I try to do something productive like read a book for school or do Duolingo but often that's not possible because of crowded spaces

I usually read.

Read or play on phone. Sometimes I will do nothing to detox from the Internet, but then I can't figure out where to look - advertisements nor people are my ideal place to rest my eyes

10) Is there anything I could design to make your commute better, and what would it be?(4 responses)

Vertical Tupperware

cant think of anything.

In an ideal world everything would come on time and there wouldn't be more than a 5 minute gap between buses and trains

Stop it Anu, you are too nice!

#survey

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Survey Questionnaire Responses: Round 2

1) How does commuting on the bus/train affect your productivity daily?

With enhanced mobile capabilities, I don't feel that my productivity is affected that much. On the days I commute, I feel it gives me a chance to catch up on certain things that I would otherwise not have :)  

Commuting in bus/train is great since you do not have to drive and thus its less stressful.  However, the bus and train I take is local and thus it adds more commute time (about an hour at least)

It doesn't really affect my productivity. I don't need to be in by a certain time, and I return after 8 pm, at which time I wouldn't do any work anyway. Plus I get to read my book, at home I don't always have time for that, so I actually like my commuting time. It gives me the opportunity to read.

I read more than I would otherwise, and so in that way, I'm more productive. In terms of "actual" work in the traditional sense, of course it is negatively affected without a laptop and wifi. But I actually like having the "cheat" time that isn't otherwise socially acceptable 100% of the time. I can listen to podcasts on a crowded train, read or veg and play a game if I have a seat.

2) Are you physically comfortable? Elaborate

Yes, for the most part. I get a seat on my way to work since its the first stop and am pretty comfortable. On my way home, I usually have to stand which could be a bit uncomfortable but for the most part its manageable.

I board the bus and train both at the beginning.  Therefore I always have a place to sit and that makes my ride comfortable.  However, since I am physically a small individual there are few occasions were I feel squashed two large individuals sitting on my left and right.

On the way in, I usually take the bus to the F. I sometimes have to stand on the bus but it is a fifteen minute ride, so it is okay. The F is the first stop, Jamaica 179, so I always have a seat. Sometimes I take the LIRR Floral Park train in, also always have a seat. Coming back, I always take the LIRR so that is also comfortable enough

My commute is, one day, on a good day, 1.5 hours. On a bad day (usually on the return) it can be over 2- and this is the shortest commute I will ever have working in Manhattan. So, my comfort varies. I take an express bus, and it gets packed. On the way home, I have a certain door I stand at on the train for the best placement to run for the bus- and try to get a spot where I won't be pushed up against a dudes armpit. And so I stand on the train home too, by choice, to have the best spot. The only time I sit with regularity is my morning train. I get on at the first stop, and so you trade the pleasure of a seat with the frustration of not leaving for ages.

3) What is the best experience you have had with strangers on your commute to/from work?

Can't recall anything!

Little kids traveling with adults and acting innocent and asking all kinds of questions and smiling and waving at you.

I like when the conductor makes a joke over the intercom, and the whole train car laughs. You really feel a connection then with your fellow commuters.

Whenever something goes wrong with the mta, everyone bonds in a rather lovely way. I've charged people's phones underground for them, and had others do the same for me.

4) Worst?

Nothing comes to mind except the fact that time to time there are people in the car that use foul language and are disrespectful to others.  

People bring smelly food and stinking up the whole bus or the train car or sitting next to you and smelling like they havent showered for days.

When people are rude, which usually happens when the car is packed or when there is a delay, which puts people in a bad mood. Recently, I got up from my seat to let an elderly woman with a cane sit, and the train was so packed that I had to try to twist myself into a pretzel in order to get up. The youngish guy who was standing in front of me was yelling that I touched him. Good thing though: everybody around me started yelling at him and thanking me for getting up.

Getting hit on. All women know the strategy to deal with this, but it's not fun. OH I just remembered two experiences, but they are both rather sad- having to do with homeless/mentally ill folks- I had one guy pull his pants down and crap on the plat form next to me. And I had a woman pull her pants and underwear down on the platform for funsies.

5) How many separate bags (including briefcases and backpacks) do you carry to and from work? How heavy?

2, a purse / hand bag and a backpack.  appx, 6 to 8 lbs

Oy. On Mondays, I carry two bags, a backpack with my laptop and books (very very heavy) and an extra bag because I usually cannot stuff everything into my backpack. Same thing at the end of my workweek going home.

Just one, not too heavy. I'm not commuting to school so no laptop or books.

5a) What do you carry?

mostly backpack and some food items

One back pack .. about 5-7 lb

Backpack with laptop, books, notebooks, packed lunch, apple that sort of thing.

A small briefcase bag.

6) What is your morning routine?

Wake-up early in the morning, get ready for work, walk to the bus stop and board the bus, get out at the train station stop and board the train and walk to work.

I get up at 6:30, and am ready to go around 7:15. I either get a lift to the LIRR Floral Park station, take the train in to Penn and take the no. 1 train up to Morningside Heights. Or I take the bus to the F (saves money!!), take the F to 42nd street, switch to the no. 7 to Times Square and take the No. 1 up.

I get up, shower (curly hair woes), drink tea and watch like 15 minutes of tv, do my makeup and blow dry, and leave. I wake up super early relative to other people of my age (in my experience) relative to when I leave.

7) What is the first thing you do when you leave work?

walk to subway!

Take the subway back home

Check my phone to see if the LIRR has any service problems, and check that I have my metro card on me.

7a) When you get home from work?

around 6:30 pm

7-8 pm

That would be at 9:30 pm. Make a cup of tea, play Words with Friends, relax.

At home? Dinner and cats . Directly after work? Book it to the f. Ny walk around the tourists.

8) How do you deal with a crowded train or bus?

Sometimes, I let the train go if its too crowded and get on the next train.  Other times, I try to be mindful and take off the backpack and stand in a way so that I am taking least space

By switching my brain off and just BE.

Patiently.  If you accept the reality than it becomes a routine.

Listen to podcasts, don't look at anyone. Don't give up any ground. No manspreading here, dudbros.

9) Do you ever observe people taking up more space than they need? When the bus/train is crowded?

Yes, there are some people that are inconsiderate and will spread themselves with everything possible, like not taking off their backpacks, spreading their news paper, or their handheld devices.

Yes but they will comply if asked/confronted

Almost never women, and almost always men (spreading their legs, urgh. Crowded or non crowded train, doesn't make a difference.

Ooh what a coincidence! Yes, obviously, to both.

10) Have you ever encountered or witnessed rude behavior on your commute? If it was someone else, did you step in?

I usually mind my business and try not to get involved.  fortunately, I have not witnessed something that I really required to get involved with.  

Yes and no I try to not get involved

People usually get testy when the train is very crowded and they think people bump into them. I have never stepped in, although I hope that I would be brave enough to act if someone really gets physically abusive. But that would be really scary.

I have before. I don't know, I feel like there's a New York understanding. I like to think that I know when people need help vs when they don't l. It's hard though, to balance.

11) How do you feel when you reach the end of the work day and have to wait for the bus or train?

I am used to it now and mostly its ok unless there is a long wait due to bad weather or some issues.  fortunately there are many alternatives available from where I board

You are tired and therefore a little impatient to reach home so you are hoping that there would to no subway problems when you leave work and you dont have to wait long for the bus after you get out of the subway

I usually don't have to wait long for the no. 1 train. It is very annoying though when there is a service delay or interruption, because it means I miss my LIRR connection to Floral Park. But that is really rare.

it's bad, but I'm used to it. I've never known anything else, really, except in middle school or so.

12) What do you do on the train/bus? In the morning vs. evening?

In the morning catch-up on my emails, facebook, what's app in the bus.  In train, I either catch-up on reading or listen to music.  Sometimes, I catch-up on socializing by making phone calls during my bus ride (I do speak very low)

Combination of reading news paper and listening to music

I always bring a book and look forward to reading that. See question 1.

I think I've covered this - podcasts and games or reading, mostly. 

#survey #commuterproject2016